Are you wondering what to wear in Milan in October? Fall is in full swing in Milan in October, and any local will tell you that layers are the key to your Milan Packing list in fall. In this guide we tell you everything to pack for Milan in October for men, women, to cope with the changing weather, to look like a local and more.
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Weather in Milan in October
Milan in October is classified as Fall. Or autumn as we would say in Europe. As such the warmer weather is behind you and you can expect traditional Fall weather with changeable conditions throughout your trip to Milan. But how cold is Milan in October?
How cold is Milan in October?
The good news is that although the summer temperatures are behind you, the weather still isn’t what I would classfy as cold cold. For instance the average high in Milan in October is 19°C/66°F and the average low is 10°C/ 50°F.
For this reason we recommend packing layers but not transitioning into a weather wardrobe just yet.
Note: if your visit covers two months be sure to check out our other Milan packing list guides:
Is it rainy in Milan in October?
Milan in October isn’t all that rainy. Overall there is around a 25% of a rainy day in October, which translates to around 6 days. Though when the rain comes it can be in heavy bursts not just showers. For this reason I do like to have a compact travel umbrella and a pair of waterproof shoes with me for visiting Milan in October. .
Note: if you are traveling to other cities and regions in Italy be sure to check out our other monthly guides:
- What to wear in Lake Como
- What to wear to Tuscany in October
- What to wear in Florence in October
- What to wear in Rome in October
- What to wear in Venice in October
- What to wear in Italy in October
- What to wear to Pompeii
- What to wear in Naples
- What to wear to the Amalfi Coast
- What to wear in Puglia
- What to wear in Cinque Terre
- What to wear in Positano
How do local people dress in Milan in October?
If you want to be more in keeping with the locals you will need to know how locals Milanese dress.
Locals in Milan tend to have put their summer wardrobes away in October and have started to get out coats and layers to cope with the changeable weather. But it is also worth noting that no matter what month you visit Milan the locals are a fashionable bunch.
Smart casual tends to be the most commonly seen attire in Milan among the locals especially when dining out in Milan. For more information on what to wear to dinner in Italy check out this post
Therefore when visiting Milan if you want to dress casually be sure to so in a stylish way.
Dress Codes in Milan
The main dress codes considerations for October in Milan are dressing for churches and restaurants. This translates into your packing list in the following ways:
Restaurant Dress Code
Not many dress codes in Milan have strict and enforced dress codes. However you will find that locals do tend to dress in a smart casual fashion for dinner.
Church Dress Code
All Italian churches have dress codes including the Milan Cathedral. On days you play to visit churches be sure that your outfit keeps your knees and shoulders and is modest.
What to wear in Milan in October
So now you know what to expect from the weather, what should you wear in Milan in October?
Best Shoes for Milan in October
Sneakers
In my opinion, sneakers are the best shoe for any city break where you will be doing lots of walking. And you will be doing lots of this in Milan as it is a city best explored on foot.
Sneakers cope well with cobbles, bridges and more. Some sneakers with some waterproofing is a good idea for Milan in October due to the chances of rain but aren’t an essential if you bring another pair of shoes with you.
I know some people worry that sneakers won’t be smart or fashionable enough to wear in Italy, but especially in the fashion capital that is Milan, but please do not worry. Tourists and locals alike will be wearing sneakers in Milan.
My favorite brand of sneakers for walking are Hoka and AllBirds, however you also can’t go wrong with a plain white sneaker as they go with everything. One of my favorite pairs of white sneakers is the Adidas Cloud Foam shoes.
Ankle Boots
As the weather is changeable in Milan in October we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing as well as a sneaker. Click here to shop ankle boots.
I personally don’t like to wear sneakers to dinner, and hate overpacking so I find two pairs of shoes is perfect for Milan in October.
The only other shoe I would even consider is a hiking boot but only if you are going into the mountainous areas around Milan. Otherwise I would just stick with two pairs.
What to wear in Milan in October for women
So what does a Milan Packing List for women in October look like? In our opinion you should have the below on your Milan Packing List:
Midi skirts and dresses
Short skirts and dresses are on my what not to wear in Milan list. That is because they are not appropriate in churches.
Therefore I tend to pick maxi or midi length items for Milan in October. My personal preference is a midi as I think they pair with boots and tights better but this is personal preference.
Click here to shop dresses for Milan
Trousers
Trousers are a great pick for Milan in October. As the weather has cooled in October jeans are a great pick for sightseeing in the city.
Layers
This is particularly important if you are visiting towards the end of October. We recommend packing several cardigans or sweaters of different weights for evenings and cooler days as the weather turns more autumnal.
Waterproof jackets
As the rain increases in October it is worth adding a waterproof jacket to your packing list. However we recommend getting a compact one so you can store it away when you don’t need it.
Shop smart lightweight rain jackets here.
Blouses
Loose blouses are perfect for Milan in October as they work brilliantly for cooler nights as well as for sightseeing during the day.
They are also the perfect choice for visiting the Milan duomo and churches where modest attire is required.
T Shirts
Although summer has ended t shirts should still be on your packing list for Milan. We recommend having a mix of short and long sleeve t shirts at this time of year.
To help you not look like a tourist I would recommend sticking to plain t shirts instead of those that have a graphic or text or are in loud colors.
Pashmina
A pashmina should be on your Milan packing list no matter the month you are visiting.
Pashminas can act as a scarf or extra layer on cooler nights and can help make your outfit more modest for visits to churches in Italy. Click here to shop pashminas.
Swimwear and beach cover (optional)
Only required if you plan to do a day trip to the coast at the very start of the month or are staying at a hotel with a heated pool. If neither of these things apply then you can leave the swimwear at home.
PJs or Nightie
Sunglasses
The sun is bright in Milan even in October so definitely bring a pair with good UVA protection.
Shop Sunglasses for Italy here.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
What to Wear in Milan in October Packing List for Men
The general pieces you need to pack for Milan in October for men has some similar themes to the women’s packing list. As such we recommend packing:
For this reason we recommend packing the below for one week in Milan:
- Trousers – We recommend packing a smarter pair of trousers like chinos for evenings but as the temperatures have cooled jeans are also appropriate. We recommend picking jeans that are smarter and darker in color to be more in keeping with local style
- Short and long Sleeve T Shirts – a staple for any Milan packing list.
- Shirts – long sleeves are better for Milan in October.
- Although summer has ended t shirts should still be on your packing list for Milan. We recommend having a mix of short and long sleeve t shirts at this time of year.
- To help you not look like a tourist I would recommend sticking to plain t shirts instead of those that have a graphic or text or are in loud colors.
- Click here to shop t shirts.
- Blazer– A jacket is a great pick for dining in Italian restaurants. For October we recommend a blazer style.
- Layers – Important for early and late October in Milan.
- Waterproof jacket
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Sneakers
- Smarter Pair of Shoes for dinner
- Pjs
- Underwear
- Swimwear (optional)
What to Pack for Milan in October (Non Clothing)
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Crossbody Bag – anti theft type as with any city it can have issues with pickpockets around main tourist attractions.
- Travel Adaptor for electronics
- Reusable Water Bottle – as the weather is still hot it is important to stay hydrated. And a water bottle is better for the environment.
- Sun Screen
- Lipbalm with SPF – Our favorite brand at the minute is sun bum.
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Battery Pack
FAQs about Milan October Packing list
Do you need a jacket in October in Milan?
A jacket is an important component of any Milan packing list for October. A waterproof one is a great pick as the rain increases in this month. But a blazer or smarter jacket is also a great pick for evenings.
Can you wear jeans in Milan in October?
As the weather has cooled, jeans have become the perfect trouser for Milan for Fall.
Should I pack swimwear for Milan in October?
Whether of not you need swimwear for October depends on:
- if you plan on visiting a beach
- if your hotel has access to a heated pool
- if you plan to travel to other beach regions of Italy
- if you plan to go on a Med cruise as part of your Milan trip
If you answer yes to the above then you may want to pack some swimwear (particularly early in the month). However others, like me, will find it too cold so you can leave the swimwear at home.
Can you wear shorts in Milan in October?
There is nothing stopping you wearing shorts in Milan in October but you may find it too cold, and is against church dress codes so will not be the most useful item to pack.
Have you been to Milan in October? What did you wear? We would love to hear in the comments.